Bible Commentaries

Genesis 14 overview — great type of Jesus Christ, Melchizedek, the whole account being necessary in that presentation. That the Melchizedek incident is the important thing here is apparent in that the author of Hebrews devoted extensive passages to the discussion of it. (2)    For the purpose of emphasizing the fact that monotheism was not invented or even "discovered" by Abraham nor any of his posterity, but that it still remained on earth, however, in a limited and insufficient extent. Melchizedek

Genesis 19 overview — be in the day that the Son of man is revealed. In that day, he that shall be on the housetop, and his goods in the house, let him not go down to take them away: and let him that is in the field likewise not return back. Remember Lot's wife." (Luke 17:28-32) The apostle Peter shed further light on this chapter by pointing out that just as God delivered righteous Lot, so the righteous would be delivered out of temptation. God does not destroy the righteous with the wicked. Also, there is evident the

Genesis 22:1-2 — about 50 miles from where Abraham lived. Ewing's objection that Jerusalem cannot be "seen afar off by one approaching from the south or the southwest,"W. Ewing, International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (Chicago: Howard-Severance Company, 1915), p. 2082. merely proves that the critic misunderstood what was meant by "afar off." The notion that an old man around 125 or 130 years of age would have found that trip any less than a three days' journey borders on the ridiculous. The reasons for denying

Genesis 40:1-3 — appear vividly in such a comment. Now, if to the triple designations of the offenders, and of the king, we add the triple designations of the place where the offenders were incarcerated, namely, (1) the ward in the house of the captain of the guard; (2) the prison; and (3) the place where Joseph was kept, we thus find a total of no less than nine possible "sources," according to the usual scholarly dictum to that effect. No wonder there is not any agreement anywhere on earth today as to what belongs

Genesis 46:8 — Jamin, Ohad, Jachin, Zohar and Shaul LEVIGershon, Kohath and MerariJUDAHEr, Onan, Shelah, Perez and ZerahISSACHARTola, Puvah, Iob (Job) and ShimronZEBULUNSered, Elon and Jahleel Note also that two sons of Pharez, Hezron and Hamul are given in Genesis 46:12. Therefore, we add Heron, Hamul, and Dinah (Genesis 46:15) for a total of 34 names. From these we subtract Er and Onan (who died in Canaan) for a total of 32 names, but the text says the number of Leah's family totaled 33 names (Genesis 46:15). The

Exodus 34:10-13 — Sayce, International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Vol. I (Chicago: The Howard-Severance Company, 1915), p. 168. The symbols of this goddess, made frequently of green trees, that being the type that Manasseh introduced into God's temple at Jerusalem (2 Kings 21:3; 2 Kings 21:7), and also of carved posts, "wooden poles made in the shape of the male sex organ,"Michael Esses, op. cit., p. 254. in time, came to be called "the Asherim." Thus, what is commanded here is that all such symbols of pagan gods

Psalms 50 overview — A PROPHETIC GLIMPSE OF THE ETERNAL JUDGMENT The superscription entitles this psalm as "A Psalm of Asaph." This is the very first of the twelve Asaph Psalms, the other eleven being Psalms 72-82 at the beginning of Book Three of the Psalter. "In 1 Chronicles 16:5, Asaph is described as the chief of sacred music, in the tent where the Ark was placed, who played the cymbals. He is often mentioned along with Heman and Ethan, but never first.

Psalms 90 overview — BOOK IV INTRODUCTION FOR BOOK IV There are seventeen psalms in this book, classified by Dummelow as: Penitential Psalms: Psalms 90; Psalms 91; Psalms 94; and Psalms 101. Psalms of Thanksgiving: Psalms 92; Psalms 93; Psalms 95-100; and Psalms 103-106, National Psalms: Psalms 94; Psalms 97; Psalms 99; Psalms 102; Psalms 105; and Psalms 106. Historical Psalms: Psalms 105 and Psalms 106. A Gnomic Psalm: Psalms 101.J. R. Dummelow's Commentary, p. 365. Dummelow's

Leviticus 17:10-13 — or bird that may be eaten; he shall pour out the blood thereof, and cover it with dust." "The reason for Israel's avoidance of eating blood is set out here more fully than anywhere else in the O.T."Ronald E. Clements, Broadman Bible Commentary, Vol. 2, (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1972), p. 48. It is clearly the religious significance of blood as being the device by which God procured atonement for sinners, not only under the O.T., but under the N.T. as well, that lay back of the prohibition. It should

Leviticus 18:1-5 — Jehovah." "I am Jehovah your God" This preamble also closes the section (Leviticus 18:30), indicating the covenant nature of the instructions. It occurs frequently in Leviticus and also in Numbers and Deuteronomy. Almost exactly the same words occur in Exodus 20:2 and Deuteronomy 5:6. "After the doings of the land of Egypt… of the land of Canaan" The gross sexual wickedness of both Egypt and the land of Canaan were extensively documented, not only in the Bible, but also in non-Biblical literature. The

Jeremiah 19 overview — recorded here resulted in bitter persecution for Jeremiah; and Satan still releases his fulminations against what is written here: affirming that, "it is not written in Jeremiah's style";Anthony L. Ash, Psalms (Abilene, Texas: A.C.U. Press, 1987), p. 162. "It was probably written by Baruch";Broadman Bible Commentary (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1971), p. 108. "It is conjectured that certain verses were added later by an editor";Anthony L. Ash, Psalms (Abilene, Texas: A.C.U. Press, 1987), p. 163. (regrettably,

Jeremiah 36 overview — in the New Bible Dictionary, affirming that "the science of writing is at least as old as 3,100 B.C."; "writing is mentioned more than 450 times in the Bible"; "The Bible states that Moses wrote the Decalogue (Exodus 17:14), the words of God (Exodus 24:4), the Torah (Joshua 8:31), Deut. (24:1), all the statutes and judgments (Exodus 34:27), the legal enactments (Deuteronomy 24:1), the details of all the journeys of the Israelites (Numbers 33:2), etc., etc."The New Bible Dictionary, pp. 1341-1351. Centuries

Numbers 14:1-4 — slavery and death. "For the believer, the choice is inevitable, either he must go forward in Christ to possess the land, or go back to the world (Egypt) and die."Merrill F. Unger, Unger's Commentary on the Old Testament (Chicago: Moody Press, 1981), p. 202. "It seems from Nehemiah 9:17 that they actually appointed another leader under whose direction they were about to return to Egypt."Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Whole Bible, Vol. 1 (London: T. Mason and G. Lane, 1837), p. 661. Behold here what an

Numbers 25 overview — importance of this chapter arises from the pivotal nature of it in the subsequent history of Israel. Right here began the religious apostasy of Israel that was to continue for centuries, resulting in the total corruption: (1) of the Northern Israel, and (2) later of the Southern Israel also, with the result that both nations went into captivity, and only the southern remnant survived. A careful study of the episode also reveals the basis of Israel's rejection of their sacred covenant with God. It simply

Numbers 5:11-15 — Numbers having come from the times of Moses, NOT from a later date. "It is distinctly reminiscent of the forms of treatment prescribed by the Babylonian priest-physicians of the second millennium B.C."R. K. Harrison, Introduction to the Old Testament,, p. 246, as quoted by T. Carson, New Layman's Bible Commentary, Numbers (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1979), p. 246. A word of caution, however, is in order with regard to all suppositions that this ordeal was similar, except in the most superficial

Joshua 21 overview — general subjugation of Canaan, shortly prior to the death of Joshua. The screams of the Bible's critical enemies declare this chapter to be "unhistorical,"Samuel Holmes, Peake's Commentary on the Bible, Joshua (London: T. C. and E. C. Jack, Ltd., 1924), p. 254. but we reject this out of hand as being merely the prejudice of unbelievers and totally irresponsible! Equally objectional is the efforts of critics to assign a seventh-century B.C. date to this list on the basis of, "The distinction between

Hebrews 12:16 — AGAINST God and do this wickedness?" (Genesis 39:9). The sin of fornication, or adultery (and for all practical purposes, the sins are one), is destructive and antagonistic. It is AGAINST the following: (1) primarily against God, as noted above; (2) against one's body (1 Corinthians 6:18) (this being true no matter how "body" is understood, whether the physical body, the body of the family, the social body, or any corporate body, many a corporation having been wrecked by adultery); (3)

James 2:21 — statement that Abraham was "justified by works" refer to a confirmation only of that first justification. However, as Roberts clearly stated it: This hardly does justice to James' argument. James is talking about faith saving a man (James 2:14). It is not contemplated merely that one already just or acquitted is proved or declared righteous; but the action of God in declaring him righteous is referred to. J. W. Roberts, op. cit., p. 93. But did not Paul say that "Abraham believed

1 Peter 3:20 — notion that those who during their earthly life refuse the gospel of God's grace may have a second chance in the world beyond, and may be ultimately saved. Roy S. Nicholson, Beacon Bible Commentary, Vol. 10 (Kansas City: Beacon Hill Press, 1967), p. 291. When the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah … This is a further elaboration of the "aforetime," just mentioned. That "aforetime" was "when" the longsuffering of God waited. In the days of Noah …

Revelation 6 overview — series of judgments; but the references which appear to be such are repeated references to the very same judgment day (singular). Fourthly, many of the common pitfalls of supposing: (1) that the whole book refers to a period following the Second Advent; (2) that every line of it has already been fulfilled; (3) that John was restricted to current events in his terminology; (4) that an "Antichrist" is anywhere mentioned in Revelation; or (5) that the various seals, trumpets, bowls, etc., have